Best Banks in France
10 expert-ranked French banks based on stability, digital services, and customer satisfaction.
Last updated: December 28, 2025 | How we rank
Editorial Transparency: Our rankings are based on independent research. commercial
partnerships may influence the visibility of "Featured" listings, but never our score or editorial
opinion. All partners must meet strict quality and safety standards. See complete methodology.
Top 10 Banks in France - 2025 Rankings
| Rank | Bank | Overall Score | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BNP Paribas | 9.5 | Traditional | Expats & International Banking |
| 2 | Crédit Agricole | 9.3 | Cooperative | Regional presence & Mortgages |
| 3 | Société Générale | 9.1 | Traditional | Digital services & Students |
| 4 | BoursoBank (Boursorama) | 9.0 | Online | Low fees & Mobile experience |
| 5 | Banque Populaire | 8.8 | Cooperative | Small businesses & Professionals |
| 6 | Caisse d'Epargne | 8.7 | Cooperative | Savings & Youth accounts |
| 7 | LCL (Le Crédit Lyonnais) | 8.5 | Traditional | Urban professionals |
| 8 | Fortuneo | 8.4 | Online | Investing & Trading |
| 9 | Hello Bank! | 8.3 | Online | Travelers (Free withdrawals) |
| 10 | La Banque Postale | 8.1 | Traditional | Accessibility & Basic services |
Banking in France: What You Need to Know
Opening a bank account in France is essential for anyone living or working in the country. Note that traditional banks often require an appointment to open an account, while online banks (like BoursoBank) offer a faster, fully digital process.
Types of French Banks
- Traditional Banks (Banques de Réseau): Large networks with physical branches (BNP, Société Générale). Good for complex needs.
- Mutual/Cooperative Banks: Owned by customers (Crédit Agricole, Banque Populaire). Often have strong regional roots.
- Online Banks (Banques en Ligne): Often subsidiaries of big banks (BoursoBank is owned by Société Générale). Offer lower fees but no physical branches.